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Fasteners are hardware devices that join or secure two or more objects together. They come in various types and are important for various industries, from manufacturing and construction to transportation and automotive, where secure and reliable connections are imperative.
If you’re looking to purchase threaded products, you want to ensure the fasteners you choose are cost-effective and suitable for your specific project. We put together this essential guide to threaded fasteners that includes information on screws, nuts and bolts to help you better understand each part and make the most informed decision for your needs.
Fasteners have a simple function — to fasten things together and hold them in place. You have a choice between threaded and non-threaded fasteners. Each category comes with its own set of advantages.
Threaded fasteners are fixtures with spiral ridges that allow them to be twisted into materials to create secure connections. The twisting threads help to grip and hold these materials together. They’re a popular choice as they provide a strong and secure force yet are easy to assemble, adjust and disassemble.
These fixtures lack helical threads. Instead, they rely on different mechanisms like expansion, interference fits or locking mechanisms to secure components together. They’re used in situations where future disassembly isn’t required or where the material is unsuitable for threaded fasteners.
Standard threaded fasteners include screws, nuts and bolts. Each one contains different subtypes that make them more suited for specific applications.
Screws have external spiral grooves and a pointed end to dig and penetrate into the material. They’re designed to be turned — usually with a screwdriver — to form a secure grip.
Different threaded screw types include:
A threaded bolt is a fastener that contains threads at one end and a head at the other. It’s similar to a screw. However, the thread of a bolt is designed to be used with a nut so it can fasten two or more components together. Where screws are not meant to pass a piece of material completely, bolts need to make a connection with a nut. In some cases, bolts are fastened with washers to distribute loads evenly while tightening the bolt.
Screws are best for lighter applications, while bolts are more suited for heavy-duty projects. Different types of bolts are applied in various industries.
Nuts are small circular or hex-shaped objects with a round hole in the center that matches the thread of a bolt. They are screwed onto bolts to help hold materials together.
Various types of nuts exist, making them ideal for many applications. These are some of the most common nut types:
Have further questions about fasteners? Check out a few answers to FAQs below.
When selecting any type of fastener for your next project, consider the following factors:
The best fasteners will meet high safety standards following industry guidelines and feature coatings that protect against corrosion and wear and tear. Specifically, the highest quality fasteners for your project will be the ones that are also the correct shape for your tools.
Some of the most common materials used in threaded fasteners include:
C.M. Mockbee Co. specializes in the production of custom-threaded products. For more than a century, we’ve offered reliable manufacturing capabilities for customers just like you. Thanks to our high-speed roll threading machines, we can address the specific needs and applications within your industry with quick lead times.
Our team provides amazing one-on-one attention to all customers, along with the capacity to handle projects of all sizes. To find out more about our threaded products, our large portfolio of fasteners and anchoring products or custom solutions and capabilities for your organization, request a quote today. We’ll be in touch soon.
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